A pilgrimage for healing

Padre Pio is one of the most popular saints of modern times. Every year, thousands visit his shrine at the San Giovanni, Rotondo in Italy to pray for healing. In fact, the shrine is the third most visited Catholic holy place in the world.

On Sept. 30, 1918, Padre Pio was 23 years old, the five wounds of our Lord’s Passion appeared on his body after seeing the Lord and the Blessed Virgin, making him the first stigmatized priest in the history of the Church.

On June 16, 2002 in Rome, the late Pope John Paul II declared Padre Pio a saint. Over 300,000 people attended this occasion.

Through the intercession of the good Padre Pio, thousands of people have been healed or have undergone great changes in their lives, and many of them are Filipinos. Two of them are Julie Torres and Chito Bertol.

Julie Torres is the mother of popular actress/TV host Lucy Torres-Gomez. She and her husband, Manoling Torres, are both cancer survivors.

"I credit Padre Pio for leading us to competent surgeons and for making it possible for our illness to be discovered at a very early, highly treatable stage such that neither chemotherapy nor radiation was required," Julie explains.

"To this day, we call on him for help. I have several relics of Padre Pio that I always have on hand. I put them over aching parts of my body and I always find relief and comfort," Julie adds. "We are propagating the devotion to Padre Pio by donating images of him to different parishes that will welcome him. We hope that many more lives will be touched by his intercession," she concludes.

Another Filipino who was touched by Padre Pio’s kindness is Manila Seedling Bank Foundation (MSBF) president Chito Bertol. "On Sept. 19, 1996, I was on my way to the airport, but I encountered heavy traffic. I left the house at 7 a.m. because I had to be at the airport at 10 a.m. for my flight to Saipan. But at 10 a.m., I was still in Cubao and I felt very much stressed, tension gripped my whole body and I was praying that I would reach the airport in time," Chito said.

"I was trembling and I felt a snapping sensation in my right foot, with profuse sweating over my whole body. Then I felt pain in my right foot," Chito adds. "I was able to complete my stay in Saipan but when I arrived at Manila, the pain was already in both feet. I thought this was just muscle pain.

"I was diagnosed to be suffering from diabetic neuropathy which resulted in blockages in my feet and hands. I felt I was dying as a number of complications set in," Chito further explains. "Despite all of this, I never questioned the Lord. I accepted my fate and continuously prayed with my family for the healing I needed so much," he adds.

During that time, Chito consulted with four different doctors and tried methods such as acupressure and reflexology. He also went on holy pilgrimages throughout the country, with very little success.

Fr. Jess Aseron, a Lourdes Church parish priest blessed him and told him about Fr. Pio. He was advised to pray daily so that through his intercession he might obtain healing. Since then, he has become a Fr. Pio devotee.

Today, neuropathy in Bertol’s hands and feet is still present, but has somehow improved. The various complications have also ceased and his blood sugar is now controlled by taking oral medication.

The Philippine Center for St. Pio of Pietrelcina, Inc. will hold a pilgrimage on Nov. 3 to 24, which is focused on the devotion to St. Pio. It includes a visit to San Giovanni, Rotondo, Italy and several holy places in France, Monaco, Spain and Portugal. These are miracle sites of Saint Padre Pio, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Francis de Assissi, Our Lady of Fatima and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. One of the highlights of the pilgrimage is participation at the papal blessing at St. Peter Square, Vatican City.

Included in the pilgrimage are breakfast and dinner with accommodations in first-class hotels. Chaplain Fr. Arnold Aurillo, parish priest of Ipil, Ormoc, Leyte will head the pilgrimage along with Chito and Tez Bertol and Manoling and Julie Torres. For other details, call up Tez Bertol at 0921-3431788 or Anna of Adams Express Travel at 521-1651/521-1638 and 521-1698.